Bear’s Birthday

so… I have no idea what to get Claire for her birthday (besides, you know, a baby sister which I’m sure is just what she wants).  I’m taking ideas. 

I was considering a wooden doll stroller.  Now, I know you can buy doll umbrella strollers for pennies, and that’s cool.  But I live in a small house, and if I have to look at this stupid-ass stroller, and trip over this stupid-ass stroller, I’d like it to be pretty.  I’d also like it to be durable, so it doesn’t break when I am forced to walk Stella around our block (and I will be forced to walk Stella around the block.  I am already forced to put Stella into her pajamas, and into the baby carrier, and feed her.  Did I mention Stella is A DOLL?).  I live in a rural-like setting, there are no sidewalks and the roads are paved, I guess, but not in a smooth city-like way.  So, yes, while I can buy an inexpensive doll umbrella stroller, I don’t want to.

Thing is, I can’t find a reasonably priced stroller close to home.  Found a gorgeous one in Arizona, but that doesn’t much help me.

Now I’m back to square one.  I thought about a plasma car, but then I’d have one plasma car and two toddlers.

yeah, that’s just stupid.

Any ideas?  A few caveats – nothing plasticy as it makes me irritable.  If it is large it needs to be able to fold up and store under a small bed or behind a couch (like I said, I live in a very crowded, small house).  She already has a tricycle and a dollhouse (god my children are spoiled.  Hell, they have a flippin’ toddler grand piano!  And a rocking horse!  Is there anything left?!).  Up to about $100 is fine, but we really can’t go any more expensive.  We don’t watch a lot of TV so movies are out, too.

I’m considering putting $100 in her savings account but it seems so unfun to do that when she’s at such a super fun age and would love a present.

I do have a couple of inexpensive, crafty items I was hoping to make for her, including her own Super Claire! costume, but we have always given the kids a fairly ‘big’ present and then a couple of ‘little’ presents.  It’s the ‘big’ present I can’t seem to sort out.